Global football governing body FIFA, has announced that South and six other countries that expressed interest in hosting the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup have signed the bidding agreement.
South Africa along with Germany and Brazil have expressed sole interest in hosting the competition while the Netherlands and Belgium and also Mexico and the United States have expressed joint hosting.
It will mark another chance for South Africa to host a senior World Cup having hosted the men’s edition in 2010. Spain won the tournament defeating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in Johannesburg.
According to a statement on the FIFA website, the bidding agreement ensures the key principles of the bidding process are observed.
The bidding parties are required to submit their bids to FIFA by December 8 after which the governing body will conduct an evaluation process, including on-site inspection visits, before publishing its findings in May 2024. The announcement of the bidding host winner is due to be made at the FIFA Congress on May 17, 2024.
FIFA described the 2027 Women’s World Cup bidding process as “the most robust and comprehensive in the history of the competition.”
Australia and New Zealand are preparing to host the 2023 Women’s Cup billed to run from July 20 to August 20. The Super Falcons of Nigeria along with South Africa, Zambia and Morocco are representatives for Africa, the latter two making their debuts.
